About Mars One Essays - Spaceflight, Manned Missions To Mars

About Mars One Mars One is a not-for-profit foundation that will establish a permanent human settlement on Mars. Human settlement on Mars is possible today with existing technologies. Mars One's mission plan integrates components that are well tested and readily available from industry leaders worldwide. The first footprint on Mars and lives of the crew thereon will captivate and inspire generations; it is this public interest that will help finance this human mission to Mars. The Mars One mission plan consists of cargo missions and unmanned preparation of a habitable settlement, followed by human landings. In the coming years, a demonstration mission, communication satellites, two rovers and several cargo missions will be sent to Mars. These missions will set up the outpost where the human crew will live and work. The mission design takes into account the expansion of the human colony where a new crew will arrive every two years. Mars One will select and train the human crew for permanent settlement. The search for astronauts began in April 2013. More than 200,000 registered for the first selection program. Stichting Mars One is a Dutch non-for-profit foundation. It is the mother company of Interplanetary Media Group, a for-profit company, which enables the foundation to secure funds from its investors. History Mars One is a not-for-profit organization based in the Netherlands that has put forward conceptual plans to establish a permanent human colony on Mars by 2025 ,[ 1] also planning on having the first humans land on Mars, and beating NASA's Orion missions by a decade.[2] The private spaceflight project is led by Dutch entrepreneur Bas Lansdorp , who announced plans for the Mars One mission in May 2012.[3] Mars One's concept includes launching a robotic lander and orbiter as early as 2016 to be followed by a human crew of four in 2024. Organizers plan for that crew, selected from thousands of applicants who paid an administrative fee, to become the first residents of Mars with every step of the crew's journey will be documented for a reality television program which would partially fund the project. In February 2015, the primary contractors on the robotic missions confirmed that work had ended on those missions with the completion of contracts on initial studies .[ 4] The project's schedule, technical and financial feasibility as well as ethics have been criticized by scientists and those in the aerospace business. In 2011, the founding members of the Mars One team came together to develop a strategic plan for taking humanity to Mars. That first year yielded the completion of a feasibility study after calling upon experts from space agencies and private aerospace corporations around the world. Written letters of interest in support of the Mars One plan were received. In this first-stage analysis, Mars One incorporated technical, financial, social-psychological and ethical components into its foundation plan. After securing the first investments and commissioning the first conceptual design study in 2012, Mars One was ready to launch its Astronaut Selection Program. It was launched at press conferences in New York and Shanghai in April 2013. Mission It is Mars One's goal to establish a human settlement on Mars. Human settlement of Mars is the next giant leap for humankind. Exploring the solar system as a united humanity will bring us all closer together. Mars is the stepping stone of the human race on its voyage into the universe. Human settlement on Mars will aid our understanding of the origins of the solar system, the origins of life and our place in the universe. As with the Apollo Moon landings, a human mission to Mars will inspire generations to believe that all things are possible, anything can be achieved. Roadmap In 2011 Bas Lansdorp and Arno Wielders lay the foundation of the Mars One mission plan. Discussion meetings are held with potential suppliers of aerospace components in USA, Canada, Italy and United Kingdom. Mission architecture, budgets and timelines are solidified from feedback of supplier engineers and business developers. A baseline design for a mission of permanent human settlement on Mars achievable with existing technology is the result. Astronaut selection is launched worldwide In April 2013, the Astronaut Selection Program is launched at press conferences in

Sustainable Resource Management

Sustainable Resource Management Introduction One of the major challenges facing Australia today comes in form of managing its water supply in the face of rising water demand, an increasingly drying climate brought about by global warming and subsequent industrial pollution which has affected overall water quality in locations such as Lithgow.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Sustainable Resource Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Sustainable resource management in this particular case comes in the form of ensuring that the water supply continues to meet demand in the foreseeable future (Levy Sidel, 2011: 1). It is due to this that the Australian Government has started the Water for the Future initiative whose four main priorities consist of: Securing sufficient water supplies Ensuring the health of rivers that feed into several of Australias cities Instituting programs aimed at using water wisely Taking some form of action/stance on global climate change. Overall it is anticipated that by instituting measures which address these four main priorities it is expected that a sufficient level of sustainable water management can be developed. Taking this into consideration the case example to be utilized in this particular paper is that of Lithgow, New South Wales and the impact sustainable water resource management has had on the area, if any. The reason why Lithgow presents itself as an interesting case example to be examined is due to the fact that a large percentage of Sydneys water supply originates from the Cox River which goes through Lithgow. Any adverse sustainable resource management practices being implemented in this area have the potential to impact millions of people in one of Australia’s most popular and largest cities (Chiew, Young, Cai Teng, 2011: 601 604). This is interesting to note due to the fact that Lithgow has one of the highest cancer and heart attack rates within Australia with estimates placing the rate of cancer and heart attacks within the area at 20% higher than anywhere else within the country. An examination of the local area reveals two distinct problems which seemingly interconnect with the detrimental health effects in the area: the presence of a massive coal mining operation located near Lithgow and the coal powered power plants that feed off the production of the local mines.Advertising Looking for research paper on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The spill off from water used in the coal mining operations as well as the production of electricity from the nearby power plant are often allowed to run back into local water systems which not only affect the local wildlife but are also thought of as the primary cause of the health problems affecting the citizens of Lithgow (Guerin, 2006: 11 16). The cause of the problem is the fact that not only does this runo ff contain coal particulates it also contains several other elements such as chemicals used in the production of electricity by the power plant such as base metals as well as an assortment of dust and minerals that are byproducts of mining. While it may be true that based on local testing the presence of base metals and other substances have been reduced to parts per million or parts per billion due to water treatment facilities the fact remains that few studies have actually confirmed whether long term ingestion of such substances will be negligible or will actually have detrimental effects on an individuals health. This is an important factor consider in regard to sustainable resource management since no matter what form of water conservation legislation or stance on global climate change the fact remains that so long as pollutants are allowed to enter into a resource supply that is utilized by people there is the very real chance that what will occur is an adverse effect on the l ocal populace (Hargreaves, 2008: 26 27). Taking this into consideration this paper will examine the current situation in Lithgow, the extent of sustainable resource management practices currently being implemented in the area and will evaluate whether current practices will have an effect on the foreseeable future. It is expected that the results of this study will reveal several key elements that the government must address in order to create an effective plan to ensure sustainable water supplies that are pollution free in the future for both Lithgow and Sydney. Review of Related Literature Current estimates of the electrical use per household within Sydney shows that on average a home/apartment in Sydney spends roughly $1,500 per year on electricity consumption with an average daily use of 17 to 31 kWhs (Kilowatt-hours) per day or 8250 kWh per annum (All charged up, 2008: 90).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Sustainable Resource Management speci fically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This results in the production of 8 tones of carbon pollution per household created each year due to the fact that 90% of Australias energy needs are met through the use of fossil fuel burning power plants. With a population density of 4,575,532 this represents literally billions of tons of carbon pollution released into the atmosphere on a yearly basis. The reason this is particularly important to mention is due to the fact that Sydney is just one out of several cities that rely on fossil fuel power plants as their main source of energy (Australia: Market profile, 2004: 22). Many of these power plants are located near rivers, lakes and estuaries due to the necessity of large bodies of water for their steam cycles and cooling processes (King Lilja, 2011: 153 156). What happens as a direct result of this is an increase in the number of particulates in the water consisting of either iron, copper, magnesium, sodium , sulfates, nitrates and a variety of other inorganic materials that can be found dissolved in water as a direct result of industrial processes (King Lilja, 2011: 153 156). The inherent problem with having such particulates in the water even in the parts per million or parts per billion level is that it may have unknown long term effects on the resident population within a particular area. The city of Lithgow for example which is located roughly 150 kilometers west of Sydney is near the Wallerawang power plant owned by Delta electricity which has been observed as continuing to release water that contains toxic metals and arsenic into the Cox River. Studies conducted in 2008 showed that the power plant itself was the main reason behind the abrupt die off of local aquatic life due to the high levels of base metals within the water which increased overall water conductivity, turbidity and toxicity. Several independent studies which examined the water quality of the Cox river revealed that on average the river only contained 5 percent of the amount of oxygen fish need to survive, contained sulphate levels that were shown to be 125 times more than what was recommended and the presence of high levels of metals such as zinc, copper and manganese made it almost undrinkable.Advertising Looking for research paper on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Unfortunately, Lithgow sources a lot of its drinking water from the nearby river and as such this has the potential to create hereto unknown effects within the local populace. While regular testing by the local city council shows that the water is safe to drink after undergoing purification at local municipal water plans there are various factors that call such testing into doubt. Based on the latest data by the Sydney West Area Health Service (SWAHS) the city of Lithgow has one of highest rates of prostate cancer, asthma and lung related illnesses as compared to any other region within the state. In fact based on estimates by the SWAHS, citizens of Lithgow have a 20 percent greater propensity for cancer and a 50 percent greater risk for heart attacks and as such are indicative of something seriously affecting the local population. Various environmental groups as well as local doctors and physicians indicate that the problem is due to the area’s water supply which has been se verely affected due to the presence of the nearby power plant and mines. Of further concern is the fact that this is situation is not isolated to Lithgow alone, with 90% of Australias power supply originating from fossil fuel resources this is indicative of the fact that other towns and cities that source water from rivers from nearby power plants can also be similarly affected. One factor to consider when taking such figures into consideration is the fact that Sydneys population is estimated to grow to at least 6 million by 2035 resulting in an even greater strain on the citys resource infrastructure (Rutherfurd Finlayson, 2011: 301 312) (Tandukar, 2006: 38). The impact of this estimate on the sustainable management of water resources results in two distinct priorities that need to be addressed: The ability to continue to supply water resources to a growing population of millions Ensuring that the water supply continues to remain drinkable and non-toxic to the population. The i nherent problem with fulfilling the second priority is the fact that the due to rising energy needs within Sydney the plan of the Australian government has been to create more fossil fuel burning power plants due to their relatively inexpensive cost. Such policies have resulted in plans to build several more fossil fuel burning power plants near the Lithgow area due to its proximity to coal deposits thereby reducing the overall cost of production. Unfortunately such a plan has the effect of increasing the amount of base metals into the water which would definitely affect the overall sustainability of the Cox River as a sustainable source of drinkable water for Sydney. On the other hand it must be noted that the local Lithgow city council has deemed the water safe to consumer despite the detrimental health effects to the citizens within the immediate area showing the exact opposite of their claims. While it may be true that Sydney is relatively far away enough from Lithgow (150 miles ) for some of the base metals within the water to dilute themselves to parts per trillion the fact remains that if more power plants are to be built in the Lithgow area as they are planned to this would increase the amount of base metals within Sydneys water supply thus facilitating the same health risks within Sydney as those seen within Lithgow (Guerin, 2006: 11 16). It is due to this that it is now necessary to examine the present methods of sustainable resource management within the Lithgow area in order to determine whether they will be able to cope with the future changes that will occur within the area. Data and Methods The following is a comparative analysis between current methods of sustainable resource management implementation and a factual analysis of collected data examining the state of water sources within the Lithgow area. The purpose of examination is to compare the results of sustainable water management with the current level of pollutants within the waters that feed into Lithgow’s and Sydneys water supply in order to determine the effectiveness of such management policies. Sustainable Resource Management Plans within Lithgow: Effective or Useless? The inherent problem with any sustainable resource management plan that aims to protect the water resources of the Lithgow area is that it has to deal with the energy needs of Sydney which is one of the primary reasons behind problems within the area. While it may be true that governments have the responsibility in ensuring the continued safety and health of their populace the fact remains that in case of the ever increasing power demands of Sydney it is apparent that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few and in this case the apparent effect of mining and building power plants within the local area takes precedence over the health and well-being of citizens within Lithgow. How else can it be explained that despite the flagrant environmental abuses by both the mining and powe r plant companies that their activities have continued to remain in operation. The fact is that the government can ill-afford any interruptions to Sydneys voracious appetite for power, stopping operations at power plants and mines that have exhibited flagrant abuses of the environmental code would cause a potential power crises within Sydney affecting the citys economy which would definitely be detrimental for government. Taking this particular factor into consideration an examination of current policies aimed at reducing pollutants originating from the local mines and power plants has revealed the Lithgow Clarence Colliery water transfer project which through the use of a $4 million endowment from the government the Clarence Water Transfer System will be upgraded allowing local residents from Lithgow to source more of their water from the Clarence Colliery instead of the Oberon dam. While such a method sustainable resource management is admirable since it allows local residents to source their water from a plentiful alternative the fact remains that the data sets that will be explored within this section show why this is a bad idea. What must be understood is that what is necessary in the case of Lithgow’s water supply is sustainable resource management strategies that resolve the issue of discharges by the various mines and power plants within the area into the local water supply. Within New South Wales the Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council (ANZECC) 2000 Guidelines manages the guidelines for water discharge while the ability to discharge water is licensed under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (Roberts, 2011: 6 8). While such methods of ensuring the water supply continues to remain pollution free and thus sustainable in the long run in terms of their ability to be consumed what this section will detail is why such methods of ensuring resource sustainability are far from stringent enough. (Kumar,McCullo ugh, Lund, 2009: 205 211) The following data shows the PH levels of various areas within Lithgow. What must first be understood is that a PH rate of one to six is indicative of the water being acidic with a rating of six indicating low acidity A rating of seven of is considered neutral while 8 and above is considered a base From the results it can be seen that the data from Farmers creek shows an increase in PH level from acidic to base, this indicative of the introduction of base particles such as metal particulates into the water. In fact as it can be seen in most of the results aside from the Ben Bullen state forest and Sunny Corner all of the results show PH levels indicative of bases present in the water. This means that the waters in those particular locations contain high levels of metal particulates which is further backed up by the readings taken based on their level of conductivity. (Kumar,McCullough, Lund, 2009: 205 211) What must first be understood is the fact that conductivity is the measure by which water is able to pass an electrical current. While it may be true that water is able to pass electricity rather easily the fact remains that its overall ability to do so increases based on the amount and type of inorganic dissolved solids (particulates) that have been mixed in. These particulates can come in form of iron, copper, magnesium, sodium, sulfates, nitrates and a variety of other inorganic materials that can be found dissolved in water as a direct result of industrial processes. The greater the amount of discharges into a stream from such processes the greater the likelihood of the water having a higher degree of conductivity. For example Lake Lyell has an average range of 500  µhos/cm, the Colliery shows 577  µhos/cm and Sunny corner at 438  µhos/cm. Such results, while high, can still support aquatic life yet their sheer levels is indicative of a high degree of particulates being introduced into the water which may be incredibl y poisonous for local marine life (Kumar,McCullough, Lund, 2009: 205 211). As mentioned earlier one of the main causes speculated as the reason behind the negative health conditions of the citizens of Lithgow is connected to the long term of consumption of base metals in parts per million or billion within water supplies. As the evidence from the data shows there is a relatively high degree of base metals still present within the waters surrounding Lithgow and is indicative of a failure of sustainable resource management since the surrounding waters can be considered a health hazard over long term consumption. Analysis, Results and Discussion Overall based on a comparative analysis of the given data presented it can be seen that the methods of sustainable resource management implemented over Lithgows water supply are from adequate based on the results showed. While it may be true that based on government standards of water safety that the base metal content in the water is safe fo r consumption the fact still remains that the residents of Lithgow have severe health problems and most experts point out that the cause can be traced to the water discharge from the local power plant and coal mines. While at the present the base metal levels begin to dilute as they enter into Sydneys water supply and undergo treatment at the local plants the fact remains that with future plans indicating that even more power plants are going to built near Lithgow this means that the base metal per million or billion may increase resulting in possibly negative repercussions within Sydneys population. It is based on this that it can be seen that in terms of sustainable resource management, while the Australian government has ensured that water continues to be supplied the fact remains that the overall condition of the water leaves much to be desired especially when taking into future plans for the NSW region. Conclusion and Recommendation Based on the findings of this paper it can be seen that the level of sustainable resource management within the Lithgow area is a direct result of the activities of the power plants and mining sites within the local area. Despite the source being obvious an effective resolution is not quite possible due to their connection to the power necessities of Sydney. It is based on this that it is recommended that greater government intervention in the case of Lithgow be implemented in the form of either stricter penalties or the threat of possible closure of either a power plant or a mine for failing to live up to proper environmental standards of operation. If such initiatives were to be implemented better sustainable resource management practices can also be utilized to ensure that not only does Sydneys water supply continue to flow in abundance but will be safe to drink in the foreseeable future. Reference List All charged up 2008, Australian House Garden, 3, p. 90, MasterFILE Complete, EBSCOhost. Australia: Market profile 2004, E nergy Forecast Asia Australasia, pp. 22-26, Business Source Premier, EBSCOhost. Chiew, F, Young, W, Cai, W, Teng, J 2011, Current drought and future hydroclimate projections in southeast Australia and implications for water resources management, Stochastic Environmental Research Risk Assessment, 25, 4, pp. 601-612, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost. Guerin, TF 2006, A Survey of Sustainable Development Initiatives in the Australian Mining and Minerals Industry, Minerals Energy, 20, 3/4, pp. 11-44, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost. Hargreaves, S 2008, One good big idea for water reform, Policy, 24, 2, pp. 26-31, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost. King, F, Lilja, C 2011, Scientific basis for corrosion of copper in water and implications for canister lifetimes, Corrosion Engineering, Science Technology, 46, 2, pp. 153-158, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost. Kumar, R, McCullough, C, Lund, M 2009, Water resources in australian mine pit lakes, Mining Technology: Transactions of the Institute of Mining Metallurgy, Section A, 118, 3/4, pp. 205-211, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost. Levy, B, Sidel, V 2011, Water Rights and Water Fights: Preventing and Resolving Conflicts Before They Boil Over, American Journal of Public Health, May, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost. Roberts, AS 2011, Technology and Engineering: Sanitary and Storm Water Treatment,  Technology Engineering Teacher, 70, 7, pp. 4-12, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost. Rutherfurd, I, Finlayson, B 2011, Whither Australia: Will Availability of Water Constrain the Growth of Australias Population?, Geographical Research, 49, 3, pp. 301-316, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost. Tandukar, A 2006, The first step, BRW, 28, 49, p. 38, MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost.

Analyze the content of TEN advertisements Research Paper

Analyze the content of TEN advertisements - Research Paper Example The paper "Analyze the content of TEN advertisements" analyzes ten articles. According to the theory, advertisements make people get addicted to unnecessary things and new habits. The second advertisement is that of Ford Mustang 2013. This advertisement lasts nearly 2 minutes and it appeared on television. In the advertisement, the new Ford Mustang 2013 runs down a beautiful street which is full of beautiful people. As the car moves, all people including children watch with admiration. In issues like that of Ford Mustang, one can apply the theory of Interractionism too. According to this theory, (as cited in Herman & Reynolds, 1994, p. 25) the advertisements create a virtual world of modern self. This helps create a new need to buy the new products. In the case of Ford Mustang 2013, the advertisement shows that people watch the new product with admiration. Thus, the viewer develops the feeling that getting that model is a necessary step to get admiration in society. Coca Cola adverti sement is the third one. It appeared on television and it lasts nearly two minutes. The advertisement starts when a young guy inserts a coin in the cola vending machine. The coin initiates a series of events inside the machine in which unnatural creatures fill cola in the bottle in an unnatural place and finally the bottle is handed over to the guy. Evidently the advertisement is capitalizing on the mystery regarding the preparation of coca cola. Admittedly, various rumors regarding the mystery of cola’s preparation can be a weakness. ... However, in the above stated ad of Coca Cola, one can see the art of capitalizing on the so called weakness. 4. Woman’s Horlicks is the third important advertisement. This advertisement is on print media. The advertisement shows a jar in the shape of a woman. The advertisement reads: â€Å"Your husband needs you, your children need you, your family needs you, your neighbors need you, your pets need you, your plants need you.† And the final statement goes: â€Å"And your health needs you.† Thereafter the advertisement contains extensive information about the nutrition content of the supplement. Here, it seems that one should think about the influence of sociological images to understand the importance of this advertisement. In the case of people, always ‘seeing is believing.’ That means through compelling images and statements, it is possible to develop the sociological imagination of people. A woman finds the advertisement of Horlicks something like a wake-up call. 5. The fifth advertisement is that of Nike. It appeared on print media. The advertisement shows a cheetah running at high speed. The cheetah has the trade mark of Nike on its belly. The heading of the advertisement reads: â€Å"What is the secret of this speed?† At the left bottom of the advertisement, it reads: â€Å"Ask the master.† And the right bottom of the advertisement shows the name of Nike and its trademark. The advertisement wants to compare Nike with the fastest animal on earth. In this case, the study by Lutz and Lutz (1977) seems useful. The study proves that interactive picture sequences have the power to enhance subsequent item recognition. When

Discussion Forum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Discussion Forum - Essay Example Many models of church leadership have been explained by Tidball (2008) as they were written in the letters constituting the gospels. Wiersby (2007) strongly bases his book on the derivation of church leadership by the words of God as written in the gospels so that one is able to truly serve God and serve the real purpose. The culture is an important component when considering the functionality of church leadership and how models have operated during times of different cultural dominance. One thing to note is the idea of gospels setting the direction for the churches as they operate ministries and leadership endeavors. This idea is evident in Dever and Alexander (2005) who say that a deliberate move should be taken in order to ensure that the church is functioning in a healthy manner such that it benefits the people and above all, serves God. 2) Church ministries are greatly influenced by the cultures in which operate and this why many pastors employ a culture driven approach to ministries. The culturally driven approach focuses on the environmental norms and the prevailing set of attitudes. However, the most important thing is the centrality of church ministries around the gospel which guides the direction of leadership work and pastoral care. A few of my local church involved in pastoral care and leadership employs a culturally driven approach to dealing with pastoral leadership. It ultimately focuses on the prevailing culture and then sets the practices that would help them attain outreach among the people. Growth and acceptance among the population is triggered through worldly forms of restoration. Modern forms of amusement are also incorporated as they comprise today’s culture in a highly dynamic and liberal society. This is to say, modern forms of entertainment are mixed with spirituality in order to introdu ce a culturally driven approach to ministry that recognizes modernity’s impact on church working. However, this approach is very superficial as it

Case Study 03092 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Case Study 03092 - Essay Example NENE limited is considering investing in one of the two mutually exclusive projects, Alpha and Beta. The investment decision would be taken on the basis of capital budgeting techniques. The calculations in respect of payback period, accounting rate of return (ARR) and net present value (NPV) carried out for both the projects are as follows: Based on the capital budgeting calculations carried out in respect of Alpha and Beta, it can be seen the returns available from Alpha are more acceptable and profitable. In terms of the payback period, the company with the lower period is accepted. This would signify that the project would be able to cover their initial cost of investment within a shorter duration and begin providing profits (Shapiro, 2005). Accordingly, Alpha is considered to be a better project. In case of other techniques used, the project with higher ARR and higher NPV is required to be chosen as they indicate higher returns. In this respect, project Alpha is seen to be better. Hence, the company must consider choosing Alpha and invest in the same (Atrill and McLaney, 2006). Accounting rate of return can be expressed as the percentage or ratio between the average profit earned from a project with the average investments made in the same. In simpler words, it explains the returns available from a project on an annual basis. In case of mutually exclusive projects, the one with the higher ARR has greater chances of being selected. In case of a single project, higher ARR would indicate that the project would add more value to the organization (Marino and Matsusaka, 2005). The ARR technique of capital budgeting is simple and involves less calculations (Bierman Jr and Smidt, 2012). However, a major disadvantage of the ARR method of project appraisal is that it does not take into consideration the time value of money. A project which

Business Ethics: Fairness in the Hiring Process

Business Ethics: Fairness in the Hiring Process Growth and good performance of any business solely relies on a number of factors ranging from one business to another although most of these factors have turned out to be common. One of these factors is upholding of business ethics within the operational domain of business activities. Business ethics has been described by many business experts as the main pillar of thriving businesses across the globe. Whether this statement is true or false depends on the role of these ethics in carrying business activities. Due to the weight and concern of many people business ethics as a topic has received manifold attention that has led to informative findings in the current business. Most of these revolve the existence of several ethical theories which explain diverse ethical issues. This paper explores some of these theories within the context of the Human resource hiring process. To achieve this objective, this analysis lays special concern on dominant ethical theories like deontology, ethical egoism and utilitarianism. Business ethics What are business ethics? How important are business ethics? The understanding of ethics is quite important in deciding what to. It gives the ability of indentifying that which is acceptable in the society or within the business world. It is of paramount significance to note that personal behavior is key in determining the performance of any business. There are countless businesses in the world which have crumbled as a result of unethical business approach in dealing with issues like personnel hiring. It has been found that an ethical business system has the full potential of affecting every aspect of business (Pojman Fieser, 2008). It therefore follows that any person who dreams to thrive in any form of business must double emphasize the need to upholding business ethics in daily activities. Business ethics are well described using and acceptable behavioral standards. It is very possible to discover that different societies have different business ethics based on the observed ethics. Notably, businesses formulate policies and rules which are aimed at promoting morality as away of enforcing business ethics. These ensure the existence of appropriate conduct amongst managers and even junior employees within the company (Crane Matten, 2007). It is worth mentioning that business ethics is one of the most recommended tools in dealing with ethical problems which may arise in a business setup. Although this has always been considered, the main challenge has been the difficulty to decide specific ethical conduct towards a given commercial task. In deed business covers all aspects of business activities including but not limited to the obligations which a given, business has towards other businesses, customers, the environment and even to customers. This varies since some governm ents may consider setting national business standards or a company designing a customized code of ethics for its employees (Goodpaster, 1991). These ideas are however based on certain theories which define specific moral behavior with regard to various business ethical issues. Ethical issues The contemporary is faced with countless ethical issues which are addressed today. Unfortunately, businesses around the globe have collapsed because of taming some of these issues which mainly cause ethical dilemma. A good example of these issues is the hiring of personnel in any business setup (Ferrell., Fraedrich Ferrell, 2009). How ethical are hiring processes done? There is no doubt very minimal or no fairness at all has been witnessed in the hiring processes of various companies in the world. The most discouraging thing is the fact many people have been considered for employment or lost their jobs because of physical disability, gender, race or even age. These immensely affect the Human Resource sector of any business or company because of its crucial role in determining the growth and performance of the business. Ethical theories These represent the main ideas which give direction in addressing ethical issues like hiring of employees in companies. They aim at give answers to particular questions which determine what and how has to be done. Many ethical principles observed my businesses mainly stem from these theories (Rachels, 1998). These theories are however very important in addressing certain issues even though the principles have always dominated. Utilitarianism This is one of the many business theories which have been applied in setting acceptable business standards and behavior. This theory advocates for maximum utility for the majority when making decisions especially in influential leadership position. It is always governed by actions and rules which have been set up to generate happiness to the majority. Pro utilitarianism believes that any decision which has to be taken must generate satisfaction for the majority and not for individual gain (Mill, 2006). This a key theory especially in dealing with issues of the Human Resource section. This can be used to determine the criterion to be used in say, hiring employees or laying them off. If a decision to be made has to promote fairness to all, a person should not be disqualified on the basis of gender. Nobody ever applied to be male or female. It would therefore unethical to disqualify an applicant because of gender differences. By giving every applicant equal opportunities to be considere d a given job, it is clear that every person would be happy and satisfied. Deontology As describing by research experts, this theory emphasizes on the need for everybody to adhere to his or her specified duties and responsibilities when analyzing any form of ethical dilemma. People who follow this kind of theory are known to produce more consistent results since they carry out their roles in a defined manner (Darwall, 2003). How would a human resource operate under this kind of theory? This would definitely mean that there are defined duties which the manager has to perform as described by the service manual. Although there are many businesses and companies in the world which give the job description of a manager say, for human resource, there are countless unfair practices carried out with regard to the recruitment procedures. There is usually a tendency of managers favoring specific candidates especially during interviews. This is mainly based on factors like gender, race and even physical disability. Although some jobs require physically fit people who are strong, disability ought not to be a key issue hiring employees. There are numerous disabled people who perform far better than fit people. Ethical egoism This has been considered as the root cause of a number unethical issue in business which revolves around setting of personal interests before any other thing. Those who support the theory believe that satisfaction can only be achieved by driving personal interest regardless of its impact on other people especially the minority in the society. Many human resource managers have been found victims of this theory due to their unfair execution of their hiring powers (Hospers, 12). Although there are certain factors and minimum requirements for specific jobs, it is possible to miss an employment opportunity in a bank because of your age, race and gender among other natural factors. How would race determine the performance of an employee? This can not be considered as an elimination criterion factor. Nevertheless, egoistic managers have gone ahead to use it since they lack feelings for other people as long as their needs are mate. Collapse of businesses and booming companies has also been c losely linked to recruitment of incompetent people based on either race or gender. When a person is driven by personal interests, negative consequences of his actions are not an issue as long as he succeeds in his agenda. The issue of women being discriminated at workplace is highly linked to ethical egoism. This is common in areas where those in authority misuse their positions to fulfill personal desires and dreams. In cases where the hiring manager has personal interests in certain candidates, it is very possible for such applicants to secure the job even minus the necessary requirements. Such an egoistic manager does not care whether or the company realizes its goal as long as his interests are met (ÃÆ'-sterberg, 1988). It is important to note personal interests do no promote growth but instead gradually leads to the suffering of many. Rights ethical theory This theory mainly focuses on the rights set by the society and which have to be given the first priority in protecting and serving human beings. This means that the functioning of this theory may differ from one society to another to the variation and diversity in rights (Brady, 1985). However, there are other rights which cut across global boundaries. These include but not limited to gender protection, rights of the disabled, age and even race. Human rights are common in every country and play a major role in protecting minority people in the society like the disabled and more vulnerable groups like women. A lot of discrimination which takes place in the contemporary society can only be curbed by observing the rights theory among others. Is worth noting that a woman, disabled person or a black one can be hired for a specific job as long as the person meets the minimum job requirements. However, the theory can well operate in a society or country which fully protects human rights, l ooks out for the rights of the disabled, aged and even women. The main driving principle of the theory is that everybody has the right work regardless of other factors as long as the minimum qualifications are met (Smithers, 1996). Conclusion Business ethics is a very fundamental concept in dealing with many ethical issues and dilemmas witnessed in out day to day lives. They basically give an understanding of what and how something has to be doe in the most acceptable way. There is no doubt that a clear comprehension and differentiation of what is wrong from what is right can be of significant benefits. Business ethics give the basis of decision making in any society since it determines and sets standards within which certain business activities operate (Brief et al. 2000).These ethics give rise to ethical theories which are mainly applied in deciding ethical conflicts. Although every employee or any other person has to observe business ethics, those in management positions like the human resource managers are expected to fully operate within ethical boundaries in order to promote fairness and good performance. Hiring of personnel on the basis of their race, age, gender and physical disability has to be condemned completely. Unless there are restrictions which limit the recruitment of certain individuals, the entire process has to be done with fairness and open minded. The idea of pushing for personal interests does more harm than good to any business (Machan, 2007). Although every stakeholder in the business world is encouraged to protect the rights of every person in business, laws which protect human rights are also important in augmenting legal protection of these rights. This can go a long way in taking legal actions against those who discriminate others especially in the HR department. It would however be useless without having a transformed Human resource sector which upholds equality, fairness and good for everyone.

The Lesson :: Analysis, Toni Cade Bambara

Throughout history knowledge, culture and information has been passed down within communities. Life lesson were often taught by older, wiser or formally educated people within the community. This idea still holds true today, especially in low-income communities as illustrated in the short story â€Å"The Lesson† by Toni Cade Bambara. I am led to believe that story took place in a low-income community in the early to mid-sixties as African-American families moved to find better opportunities, when extended families moved north as groups and then spreading out into their respective community (507). Miss Moore, who had obtained a college education, assumed this role within her community by saying â€Å"it was only right that she should take responsibility for the young one’s education† (507). Initially the lesson of the day was the value of money, but quickly evolved into several different lessons for the children in attendance that day. Miss Moore begins her lesson by planting a seed in the minds of the children in the form of small talk such as; what things cost, how much their parents made, how much they spent on rent and how money was not divided up right in this country (508). This got the children thinking about the money that ordinary people within their community spent on everyday survival. Their field trip brings them to a fancy Fifth Avenue toy store â€Å"F.A.O Schwartz† (512), where they admire toys form the window. The children begin to notice the outlandish prices that the toys were being sold for, which further waters the seed embedded in their little minds earlier. Their eyes settled on a sailboat displayed in the window. Its outrageous price tag read, one thousand one hundred ninety-five dollars (510). Shocked and taken back they could not believe that anyone would pay that much money to entertain a child, one child immediately asked, â€Å"This boat for Kid’s, Miss Moore?† (510 ). This growing seed in their minds sparks the question of, why some people can afford such expensive toys and not others, as they enter the store. As they finish in the toy store and get home, Miss Moore prods the children to see if they had grasped the lesson as she intended. Sugar, one of the children spoke and said â€Å"You know, Miss Moore, I don’t think all of us here put together eat in a year what that sailboat costs† (512). Miss Moore was elated to find that the message of social inequality had been relayed to at least one of the children.

Preventing Workplace Discrimination Essay

â€Å"Discrimination undermines employee loyalty, destroys employee morale, and reduces productivity and work quality. It can also lead to costly and painful lawsuits and do irreparable harm to a company’s reputation† (Guerin & DelPo, 2007, p. 119). Preventing workplace discrimination, therefore, is important to companies because this will make an organization stronger and will provide the employees a more harmonious working environment. Discrimination can take several forms and there are more than one way of managing such situations, which was demonstrated by the simulation exercise. One of the discriminating actions a company can show is by not accommodating people with disabilities because they believe that these people are not as competent and skillful as people who do not have disabilities. The simulation had an exercise where in job advertisements were shown and the user had to determine the phrases that can come across as discriminating. One of the phrases in the simulation stated that the company needed an employee that was â€Å"fully mobile to run around to meet client needs,† which was discriminating to people with disabilities, specifically those who are in wheelchairs. This exercise teaches companies not to judge employees based on their physical abilities. If a person wishes to apply for a certain position, the company should allow him or her and see if he or she is capable of doing the required tasks without his or her disability becoming in the way of his or her work. The job advertisement exercise also required the user to determine a discriminating phrase regarding drug use and abuse wherein future employees will be required to submit to drug testing. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know if a person has drug problems because it will ultimately be for the best of the company. However, this should not be included in job advertisements because one, it is discriminating, and two, pre-employment tests usually cover drug testing so the company should not worry about it. It is also important for companies to determine a job-seeker’s attitude regarding work to see if he or she has the same drive that the company is looking for. No one wants to hire someone who has no passion for the work that he or she applying for. This will only be a waste of time and money for both parties. The simulation demonstrated this by including some facts about the five applicants that were shortlisted for the positions. Information like religious beliefs and practices and personal stands regarding important national issues are included for the benefit of the human resource department. Title VII can definitely override the employment environment and conditions detailed in a written employment contract between an employer and an employee because title VII is a federal law and should be followed no matter what the written employment contract indicates. In addition, employees should not agree to a written employee contract that does not conform to the conditions that are stated in title VII because this can only lead to legal problems in the future when they encounter discriminating practices in the workplace environment. In conclusion, companies need to remember that they have to adhere to the conditions that are stated in title VII to avoid costly lawsuits and prevent their reputation from being destroyed. They have to provide a fair and unbiased working environment to employees, future or tenured, to maintain a structured organization that will work toward the success of the company. Reference

Supply Chain Collaboration Between the Organization and Suppliers Essay Example

Supply Chain Collaboration Between the Organization and Suppliers Essay Example Supply Chain Collaboration Between the Organization and Suppliers Essay Supply Chain Collaboration Between the Organization and Suppliers Essay In most organizations, supply chain collaboration between the organization and suppliers can reduce inventory costs with the use of information technology (IT). Laudon and Laudon (2007) suggest that IT consists of all hardware and software that a firm needs to use in order to achieve its business objectives. Computers, printers, and handheld personal digital assistants are considered hardware components. Software includes operating systems such as Linux or Windows, the Microsoft Office desktop productivity suite, and other computer programs essential to an organization that is currently on the market. Information technology offers a competitive advantage, reduces and controls costs, improves customer and supplier intimacy, and access to the global economy. Information Technology Competitive Advantage According to Laudon and Laudon (2007), more than 23 million managers and 113 million workers in the United States’ labor force rely on information systems to conduct business. IT offers the supply chain organization a competitive advantage by achieving operational excellence, customer and supplier intimacy, and improved decision making. IT allows the supply chain to respond to customers in real time, thus all improvements add up to higher sales and higher profits to the organization (Laudon and Laudon 2007). Reducing and Controlling Costs Gendron (2006) states, â€Å"Studies by the Aberdeen Group have shown that non-production materials like office supplies, computer equipment and maintenance, repair and operating provisions (MRO) can account for 30% to 60% of a company’s total expenditures yet they remain poorly controlled and costly to process at most organizations† (p. 91). Information technology permits the supply chain organization to control and process purchasing requisition for supplies efficiently and at reduced costs. Amazon. com, though is an e-commerce company, is a company that uses IT to track orders, place orders from suppliers, and also tracks where items are stored within the facility. Supply chain departments have access to several tools that can help in reducing costs. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are used by large corporations to use the Web efficiently when purchasing suppliers. Gendron (2006) states, â€Å"Studies have also noted that off-contract buying is more prevalent for services than for direct or indirect products, and service supplier networks are huge, averaging nearly 75 suppliers per purchasing employee more than double the number of suppliers per buyer of direct goods† (p. 91). The supply chain organization purchasing responsibilities is one of the fastest payback areas using the Web, because the online bidding process can be used (Gendron 2006). Global Economy Opportunities Information technology offers the supply chain organization several advantages in a global economy to help reduce inventory costs. Laudon and Laudon (2007) state, â€Å"The emergence of the Internet into a full-blown international communications system has drastically reduced the costs of operating on a global scale† (p. 7). The supply chain organization can shop a worldwide marketplace, obtaining quality and price information reliably 24 hours a day. The key advantage is that the supply chain organization can achieve extraordinary cost reductions by finding low-cost suppliers and managing production facilities in other countries. Summary Information technology offers the supply chain organization several advantages to reduce costs and improve customer relations. Information technology offers a competitive advantage by reducing and controlling costs, improving customer and supplier intimacy, and provides access to the global economy. To stay competitive, the supply chain organization must use information technology to grow the business and reduce inventory costs. References Gendron, M. P. (2006). Creating the new e-business company: Innovative strategies for real-world applications. Mason, OH: The Thomson Corporation. Laudon, K. C. Laudon, J. P. (2007). Management information systems: Managing the digital firm. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Learn About the U.S. Presidential Oath of Office

Learn About the U.S. Presidential Oath of Office Since George Washington first said the words on April 30, 1789, as prompted by Robert Livingston Chancellor of State of New York, every President of the United States has repeated the following simple presidential oath of office as part of the inauguration ceremony: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. The oath is worded and administered in accordance with Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution, which requires that â€Å"Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:† Who May Administer the Oath? While the Constitution does not stipulate who should administer the oath to the president, this is typically done by the Chief Justice of the United States. Constitutional law experts agree that the oath could also be administered by a judge or official of the lower federal courts. For example, 30th President Calvin Coolidge was sworn in by his father, then a Justice of the Peace and notary public in Vermont. Currently, Calvin Coolidge remains the only president to be sworn in by anyone other than a judge. Between 1789 (George Washington) and 2013 (Barack Obama), the oath has been administered by 15 Associate Justices, three federal judges, two New York state judges, and one notary public. Hours after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, U.S. District Court Judge Sarah T. Hughes became the first woman to administer the oath when she swore in Lyndon B. Johnson onboard Air Force One in Dallas, Texas. Forms of Administering the Oath Over the years, the presidential oath has been administered in two ways. In one form now rarely used, the person administering the oath posed it in the form of a question, as in, â€Å"Do you George Washington solemnly swear or affirm that ‘you’ will †¦Ã¢â‚¬  In its modern form, the person administering the oath poses it as an affirmative statement, with the incoming president repeating it verbatim, as in, â€Å"I, Barak Obama do solemnly ‘swear’ or ‘affirm that ‘I’ will †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Use of Bibles Despite the First Amendment’s â€Å"Establishment Clause† guaranteeing the separation of church and state, incoming presidents traditionally take the oath of office while raising their right hands while placing their left hands on Bible or other books of special – often religious significance to them. John Quincy Adams held a law book, indicating his intention to base his presidency on the Constitution. President Theodore Roosevelt did not use a bible while taking the oath in 1901. After George Washington kissed the bible he held while taking the oath, most other presidents have followed suit. Dwight D. Eisenhower, however, said a prayer rather than kissing the Bible he was holding. Use of the Phrase ‘So Help Me God’ Use of â€Å"So help me God† in the presidential oath calls into question the constitutional requirement for separation of church and state. Enacted by the First U.S. Congress, the Judiciary Act of 1789 explicitly required â€Å"So help me God† to be used in the oaths of all U.S. federal judges and other officers other than the president. In addition, the words of the presidential oath - as the only oath specifically spelled out in the Constitution - do not include the phrase. While not required by law, most presidents since Franklin D. Roosevelt have added the phrase â€Å"So help me God† after reciting the official oath. Whether presidents before Roosevelt added the words is a source of debate among historians. Some say that both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln used the phrase, but other historians disagree. Much of the ‘So help me God’ debate hinges on the two manners in which the oath has been given. In the first, no longer used manner, the administrating official frames the oath as a question, as in â€Å"Do you Abraham Lincoln solemnly swear†¦,† which seems to demand an affirmative response. The current form of â€Å"I do solemnly swear (or affirm)†¦Ã¢â‚¬  demands a simple response of â€Å"I do† or â€Å"I swear.† In December 2008, atheist Michael Newdow, joined by 17 other people, plus 10 atheist groups, filed a lawsuit in the District Court for the District of Columbia against Chief Justice  John Roberts seeking to prevent the Chief Justice from saying â€Å"so help me God† in the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Newdow argued that the 35 words of the Constitution’s official presidential oath do not include the words. The District Court refused to issue an injunction preventing Roberts from using the phrase, and in May 2011, the U.S.  Supreme Court refused Newdows request to hear the case.   What About the Vice Presidents Oath? Under current federal law, the Vice President of the United States recites a different oath of office as follows: â€Å"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.† While the Constitution specifies that the oath taken by the vice president and other government officials states their intention to uphold the Constitution, it does not specify the exact wording of the oath. Traditionally, the vice president’s oath has been administered by the Chief Justice on inauguration day on the floor of the Senate shortly before the president-elect is sworn in.

Waste to Energy Technology Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Waste to Energy Technology - Research Paper Example Undoubtedly, the waste to energy technology will address the waste disposal issues as well as the growing energy needs of the world. Waste to Energy Technology Waste to energy, or interchangeably energy from waste, can be referred to the process of generating energy in the form of heat or electricity through the incineration of waste materials. Incineration is â€Å"the process of reducing combustible waste to inert residues by high temperature combustion† (Lettsome, 2008, p.191). However, many countries have set strict emission standards for this process as many traditional WtE plants released huge amounts of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and dioxins. Modern incineration plants are eco-friendly and they release little toxic gases or other pollutants. As Ramboll (2006) points out, modern incinerators are capable of reducing the original waste volume by 95 to 96 percent depending on the type of waste material under incineration. The use of incineration technique for the con version of municipal solid waste to energy is a conventional application of waste to energy technology. In the incineration process, generally an RDF is burned to boil water and thereby power stream generators for the purpose of generating electricity for home and business use. However, the method of incineration of municipal solid waste for the generation of electrical energy was widely criticized since this process has been damaging the environment by causing acid rain. In response to this environmental concern, companies used technologies like lime scrubbers on smokestacks. The modern incineration plants are eco-friendly, because â€Å"many times more dioxin is now released from home fireplaces and backyard barbecues than from incineration† (Rosenthal, 2010). Today, a number of new and improved technologies have been developed to produce energy from waste materials without combusting them directly. Majority of such technologies can generate more amount of electric power fr om the same volume of waste materials than through direct combustion method. As described in Bio Earth (2009), in new waste to energy technologies, corrosive components are separated from the converted fuels and therefore, this process contributes to higher combustion temperatures in internal combustion engines and boilers. Hence, they are more productive than conventional WtE plants. Some of those technologies have the potential to convert energy into liquid or gaseous fuels. As reported in World News Inc (2012), gasification, thermal depolymerization, Pyrolysis, Plasma arc gasification PGP are some of the thermal WtE technologies whereas anaerobic digestion, fermentation, mechanical biological treatment are non-thermal technologies. The popularity of waste to energy technologies has considerably increased over the last decade. During this period, industrially important countries like China and Japan built a number of WtE plants in order promote their national productivity. Global Group Consulting Services LLC operates across America and Caribbean in order to promote the application of potential waste to energy technologies and to resolve Municipal Solid Waste issues in small to mid-size cities. As Herndon (2011) reports, Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc has been scheduled to commence the operations of its new $180 million WTE plant in 2010; and the project designers forecast that the plant may produce

Critical thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Critical thinking - Essay Example Be it spoken (oral) or written, it has a power to help achieve success in every walk of life. It should be noted that language is imperatively different in the field of medical. It is merely because the processes involve a number of stages and terminologies which can be understood by a person who is well-versed in medicinal studies. It has also been assessed that a number of people make use of the language translators to understand medical transcripts. Since I tend to join medical field for an assistant purpose, I am completely aware of the need of understanding relevant language (Skelton). Unlike many other fields of business, it can be well noted that medical field requires clear understanding of procedures. The vocabulary is far different in medical field which is only understandable to the medical practitioners. Considering my involvement in the field of medical, I am sure that if I am aware of language then I would be able to minimize risk of failures. If I will be ordained to perform a task, I will not be in a need to ask again and again because I will be able to understand the requirements as the first place. This is one of the crucial points that are needed to be understood (Skelton). The need of understanding language will also be crucial at the beginning of the day when I will be briefed regarding the goals of each day. Also to make sure that I am able to communicate with personals of administrative, I will have to make a translated version of transcripts. This cannot be done until core terminologies are not understood. This gives a clear idea that it is imperative to study language concerning medical procedures. Reflecting on my current position on language, it can be said that I still need a lot of exercise and practice. I think I am not effective and quick in understanding commands or writing up medicinal transcript to assist senior medical practitioners. I would